Most friendly region/province in Thailand?

[shane]

I have been traveling/living in Thailand since 2000 in total I've lived here 6 years, and am finally ready to buy property and settle down. I am having trouble however choosing a jungwat/province in which to live. I have traveled all over the country and recently I was in Hatyai city and Songkla city, and i found the people quite a bit less accepting and friendly towards me down there. This has made me recall my travels in the past quite a bit recently.

My question is: What has other members experiences with locals been like around this beautiful country? And what in your opinion is the most friendly/accepting place in the country?

Thanks in advance

[daveAustin]

I was about to say 'not Songkhla'. Been there off and on and it has definitely gone downhill, though was always a bit crusty regards the locals. Prefer the northern Thais and countryside. Chiang Mai is great but gone very busy. In the future, I may consider Chiang Rai.

[CharlieH]

Horses for courses, one man's food is another mans poison, we are all different, have different needs and wants.

[beachproperty]

WOW ....lived here six years....traveled all over the country....AND still not sure where to settle? You say you want to BUY! Whoa! ...My advice, since you're so unsure is to rent first....so many good places to live ....pick the wheather you like best ...beach community or country village and then find a place to rent and try it for awhile ....don't like it ...move on.

[Bovverboy]

I was about to say 'not Songkhla'. Been there off and on and it has definitely gone downhill, though was always a bit crusty regards the locals. Prefer the northern Thais and countryside. Chiang Mai is great but gone very busy. In the future, I may consider Chiang Rai.

I agree. The friendliest people I met were in the North, although many were not Thais but from from the hill tribes. I am sure that you would enjoy Chiang Rai, if you think that Chiang Mai is too busy..

[shane]

WOW ....lived here six years....traveled all over the country....AND still not sure where to settle? You say you want to BUY! Whoa! ...My advice, since you're so unsure is to rent first....so many good places to live ....pick the wheather you like best ...beach community or country village and then find a place to rent and try it for awhile ....don't like it ...move on.

I was just interested in other peoples opinions thats's all

[shane]

I was about to say 'not Songkhla'. Been there off and on and it has definitely gone downhill, though was always a bit crusty regards the locals. Prefer the northern Thais and countryside. Chiang Mai is great but gone very busy. In the future, I may consider Chiang Rai.

I agree. The friendliest people I met were in the North, although many were not Thais but from from the hill tribes. I am sure that you would enjoy Chiang Rai, if you think that Chiang Mai is too busy..

Thanks

I have only spent 2 days in Chiang Rai about 4 years ago, I enjoyed the place a lot and will consider it, I may take another trip there soon to check it out again.

[Dibbler]

Not Phuket, full of Russians! One could add Pattaya to the list for the same reason!

[daveAustin]

Horses for courses, one man's food is another mans poison, we are all different, have different needs and wants.

Indeed, but being all nice and diplomatic doesn't that help the op much. As in my example, it has to be said, people, in general, differ from region to region and with Songkhla/Hat Yai (as the op found out), there is an obvious aggressive undertone and aversion to outsiders. It is also, despite being a relatively rich area through the rubber and oil, decidedly grubbier than, say, CM and CR.

I would also consider the coast below Hua Hin... sea but with the mountains nearby.

[shane]

One of the only large towns I haven't visited is kon kaen, does anyone have an opinion on there?

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[Costas2008]

Everywhere in Thailand people are friendly as long as you are friendly with them and respect their culture.

[cmcom]

I live in Lamphun and is great. Only 30mins to the big smoke

[Issangeorge]

I like Kalasin, and Mukdahan.

[rajyindee]

Indeed, but being all nice and diplomatic doesn't that help the op much. As in my example, it has to be said, people, in general, differ from region to region and with Songkhla/Hat Yai (as the op found out), there is an obvious aggressive undertone and aversion to outsiders.

I've lived in Hat Yai/Songkhla for 8 years and never had an issue with the locals. They might not suffer fools gladly, but that's no bad thing

[mrtoad]

My own experience is on how the individual assimilates into the community. If you are a bellend in your own country, guess what? It won't be any different here.

I think though, the major tourist areas you will find more jaded locals, and the Certain places like Phuket, Samui, Phang An, Tao etc are not always the best.

I've lived in Phuket, Kanchanaburi , Trat, Chanthaburi and Bangkok and visited numerous other provinces. Phuket yeas ago was very different, and my last experience there has put me off. Chanthaburi, Trat and Kanchanaburi I like very much as they are still not destroyed by tourism.

[willyumiii]

I am located in the north, about 20 km outside Khorat and am very pleased with the way local people act towards me.

I think a huge part of where you live and how you will be treated depends on you, your needs and your attitude.

We are not all the same and it takes different things and situations to make us happy or content.

What makes me happy, may make you crazy!

I strongly recommend finding a place that interests you and renting a nice place there for at least a year before deciding to buy.

Wait until the "honeymoon" period id over and the rose glasses are off all of the way.

We often change our minds about places and people we discover and like after the newness wears off.

Rent is very reasonable for a nice place in the north.

After living somewhere for a year, you will probably know more people and find a much better deal if you do decide to stay and buy a place.

Choke dee!.

[krisb]

One of the only large towns I haven't visited is kon kaen, does anyone have an opinion on there?

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I love Khon Kaen, but depending on your age and interests some find it boring.

But I love going there. Not many tourists, good bars and beer gardens, cheap food prices, good shopping centres, really nice night market, best I have seen anyway.

Worth going for a look.

[Seastallion]

Indeed, but being all nice and diplomatic doesn't that help the op much. As in my example, it has to be said, people, in general, differ from region to region and with Songkhla/Hat Yai (as the op found out), there is an obvious aggressive undertone and aversion to outsiders.

I've lived in Hat Yai/Songkhla for 8 years and never had an issue with the locals. They might not suffer fools gladly, but that's no bad thing

Shhh! We don't really want word to get out how pleasant it is here. Next thing you know we'll be inundated with the kind of farang that give us all a bad name, then the locals will get intolerant, then the dual-pricing will start and the scams and the corrupt cops etc.

Leave Hat Yai alone...we like it here.

No, you're wrong! I live in HY and it is terrible! The people are rude, the cops aggressive. I do not recommend Songkhla province.

[DonaldBattles]

I have lived and worked in 9 provinces over the past 30 years of living in Thailand. I have found the people in Chiang Rai some of the nicest in the country. My retirement here in the foothills of Doi Hang is filled with enjoyment and quality of life.

[ttthailand]

I have found the nicest people are the ones who are the family and friends of my ladies. When you are neighbors in a Thai village most people are very friendly. You go to the market and it is like you are a star, everyone knows you and smiles and wants to say Hi. I think this holds true in most parts of Thailand except places like Pattaya, Phuket and other tourist areas.

If you are older and retired you may want to consider living in the village of your wife or gf. It seems that many of the farangs there have settled in with country life and are content.

[stevehaigh]

i have found Khon Kaen the most friendly and Hua Hin the least but i haven't been everywhere. but personally i wouldn't consider friendliness the main factor in deciding where to live. i love living in Phuket but no one would call it friendly.

[Hoovernose]

I have lived in Hat Yai for 14 years. The people there are genuine and don't do the continuous smiling thing. As a result they are easier to read. You know where you stand with them and I'm more comfortable with that. I can usually get anyone to crack a smile if I can be bothered. People are people and more or less the same all over the world. I'm a very friendly person by nature but most people aren't. I don't expect them to be. They are all busy with their own problems. I have got a gang of Thai friends that I have known since I got to Hat Yai and they are the nicest people you will ever meet, and they will do anything for you. They are lovely folk who value friendship a great deal. Making good friends is important wherever you go. It takes time and sometimes effort but it's extremely rewarding and will make anywhere in the world a better place to be. So my advice is get a part time job or join a local club or society. Make some local friends, invest some time in them and their families and meet their friends. Nice people will almost always have nice friends. Don't worry about how friendly or unfriendly strangers seem, that's their own problem.

[Dannyboy666]

Isaan, Nong Khai, Seka,... Northeast, Nice not to many Farang

[krisb]

Indeed, but being all nice and diplomatic doesn't that help the op much. As in my example, it has to be said, people, in general, differ from region to region and with Songkhla/Hat Yai (as the op found out), there is an obvious aggressive undertone and aversion to outsiders.

I've lived in Hat Yai/Songkhla for 8 years and never had an issue with the locals. They might not suffer fools gladly, but that's no bad thing

Shhh! We don't really want word to get out how pleasant it is here. Next thing you know we'll be inundated with the kind of farang that give us all a bad name, then the locals will get intolerant, then the dual-pricing will start and the scams and the corrupt cops etc.

Leave Hat Yai alone...we like it here.

No, you're wrong! I live in HY and it is terrible! The people are rude, the cops aggressive. I do not recommend Songkhla province.

What about the muslim violence down south, the kidnappings, bombings etc.

Does that bother any of you living down there?

[Dannyboy666]

Not Phuket, full of Russians! One could add Pattaya to the list for the same reason!

. Thaivisa said today numbers are Down...

[1FinickyOne]

I would agree with others who advise not to buy but rent as places and fascinations change here… rental prices are reasonable and selling can be difficult if you want a change...

I would agree with the others, if friendliness is the most important factor - go north.

Edited December 29, 2014 by kenk24

[weegee]

Everywhere in Thailand people are friendly as long as you are friendly with them and respect their culture.

And add the fact, you are a guest here...

[Dannyboy666]

I like Kalasin, and Mukdahan.

they are Decent People for Sure...

[makkam]

Not Phuket, full of Russians! One could add Pattaya to the list for the same reason!

plenty of shitbags from the uk in both places as well

[weegee]

Indeed, but being all nice and diplomatic doesn't that help the op much. As in my example, it has to be said, people, in general, differ from region to region and with Songkhla/Hat Yai (as the op found out), there is an obvious aggressive undertone and aversion to outsiders.

I've lived in Hat Yai/Songkhla for 8 years and never had an issue with the locals. They might not suffer fools gladly, but that's no bad thing

Shhh! We don't really want word to get out how pleasant it is here. Next thing you know we'll be inundated with the kind of farang that give us all a bad name, then the locals will get intolerant, then the dual-pricing will start and the scams and the corrupt cops etc.

Leave Hat Yai alone...we like it here.

No, you're wrong! I live in HY and it is terrible! The people are rude, the cops aggressive. I do not recommend Songkhla province.

What about the muslim violence down south, the kidnappings, bombings etc.

Does that bother any of you living down there?

Nope...If you dont mix with that type...You dont have to be involved.

Having said that...YES, this place has changed in the last 15yrs or so..Some of it not for the better.